More than 50 prospective students and their guests attended the Oct. 7-9 Fall Visitation Weekend at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The event featured presentations on many aspects of seminary preparation including academic offerings, financial aid, housing, and student life. Many participants were certain they would enroll and begin preparation for the pastoral ministry during the coming year. Others were just beginning to consider the possibility.

"Our goal in offering campus visitation opportunities is to inform our guests regarding seminary preparation and life in our Concordia Seminary community," commented Rev. Jeffery Moore, director of ministerial recruitment at Concordia Seminary. "We want to give them accurate information and answer any questions they may have as they consider the opportunity to begin seminary preparation and serve our Lord in the pastoral ministry."

More than 20 wives and girlfriends of students enjoyed a bus tour of the area and a special "Women's Information Session," hosted by Ruth Ann Johnson, wife of Seminary President Dr. John F. Johnson. This session featured topics including employment, schools for children and opportunities offered for women in the Seminary community.

"This was not our first visit to campus, yet we gained a lot more knowledge during this weekend," commented one visitor. We also enjoyed seeing how God was working in the lives of others either contemplating or preparing for seminary." Another visitor commented, "I am happy and excited about what transpired this weekend. It has been an excellent and extremely rewarding experience for us…we really appreciated having the opportunity to sample ‘sem life' this weekend."

The Fall Visitation Weekend is one of three structured visitation opportunities offered each year on the Seminary campus. The "Shepherds of God's Flock" retreat is another structured visitation opportunity and will be offered Jan. 4-6, 2000. This event features Bible study and study of the Lutheran Confessions concerning the Office of the Holy Ministry. It also features presentations by pastors, missionaries and chaplains concerning the joys and challenges they find in their service. The retreat does not emphasize the "nuts and bolts" of seminary preparation (financial aid, housing, etc.), although guests are able to talk privately with admissions office personnel about these subjects during their visit.

The Institute on the Ministry will take place March 16-18, 2000 and is the third structured visitation opportunity offered at Concordia Seminary. This event is traditionally the largest visitation event in terms of program activities and number of participants. More than 100 prospective students and guests normally attend this event.

"Each year, however, more people visit Concordia Seminary through individual visits at times which are most convenient for them," indicated Moore. "We are happy to provide meals and lodging free of charge on our campus for prospective students and their guests, regardless of the time they choose to visit. We can arrange appointments and offer opportunities to address the individual needs of visitors and we do so on a weekly basis."

To schedule a campus visit or to speak with a member of the admissions office staff, call 1-800- 822-9545. The office may also be reached by e-mail (csladmis@aol.com).